Float-valve.



F. l. CLIFFORD.

FLOAT VALVE.

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FREDERICK J. CLIFFORD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ALLIANCE COMPANY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

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To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK J. CLIF- FORD, a citizen of the United States, residing in Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Float-Valves, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates in general to float valves and has more particular reference to float valves provided for closet and lavatory l tanks, although it will be manifest as the invention is better understood that it has other and wider application. Y

A principal object of the invention is the provision of a float valve which will permit the tank to empty substantially of all rilts o accomplish this it is desirable that the valve and valve parts be as light as possible; that is to say, that the valve be relieved as much as possible of heavy attendant parts which cause it to ride low in the water and consef quently shut off while a substantial part of the water remains in the tank. The invention contemplates, therefore, the valve riding nearly on the surface.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a valve of easy and positive operation,-not likely to bind on the guides provided to direct its movement and not likely to become stuck upon its seat.

l A still further object of the invention is the provision of a valve which will permit of the arrangement of a more effective overliow; that is to say, prior to my invention the overflow for tanks of this character has been usually mounted in commercial structures alongside the valve seatand connected with the outlet by the relatively restricted passage. This invention contemplates the larrangement of an overliow having a full opening from its inlet into the tank outlet. The passagewaybetween the overflow pipe and the outlet opening usually has been provided through the part of the valve seat or -outlet member which is disposed above the provision of a valve and attendant mechanism or parts which will permit the `valve Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov.. 27, 1917.

Application led February 19, 1917. Serial N o. 149,400.

seat to be disposed in close proximity to the bottom of the tank.

A further object of the `invention is the provision of a valve possessing these and other advantages, which will be of economic construction, but which will consist of few and simple parts readily provided and assembled and not .likely to require frequent or expensive repair.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a valve mechanism for these and other advantages which may be used in relatively narrow tanks and so constructed and arranged that the parts ofthe mechanism obstructing the interior of the tank may be readily removed to facilitate cleaning the tank and making repairs upon the inlet valve mechanism as may be required.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as itis better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawing,

Figure 1 is a section taken through atank equipped with a valve embodying my present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken through the valve and outlet opening on an enlarged scale; and y Fig. 3 is a horizontal section the valve proper is elevated. Y

For the purpose of illustrating my invention I have shown on the drawing a closet tank 11 of ordinary or any preferred construction. This tank is provided with an outlet opening 12 in its bottom through which extends a valve seat member 13. This valve seat member is preferably provided with an inner spider 14 having a hollow center through which is positioned the lower end 15 of a pipe or hollow stem 16. The

taken when Vlower end 15 of the overiow pipe is threaded threaded part of the sleeve is positioned a second valve seat member 23. The valve seat member 23 and the valve seat member 17 are yadapted to be positioned to form what may be termed a valve lseat at the outlet, the parts being adjustable with respect to Leach other by'reason of the threaded engagement of the member 23 with tlielower end of the sleeve and providing an annular outlapsible or yielding.

let opening extendingabout the overflow pipe.

A float valve, generally indicated at 24,

embraces this sleeve Aand is free-to slide vertically thereon. This valve is of annular form and preferably of substantially circular cross-sectionand is furthermore of soft or yielding material in order that the pressure of the water above it in the tank when Vthe valve is seated will cause the valve to ybe pressed or sucked down upon its seat. .An opening 25 in the bottom of the valve Vpermits the valve to be more readily col- Vhen the valve is seated it is in the position shown in Fig. 2 and is held tightly "against .its seat by the suction belowv and water above in the tank. In order that the valve may be moved to open position it is only necessary to break its connection with the seat .and permit it to rise by its buoyancy on the sleeve 21. This is accomplished by `lifting the sleeve and the valve member 24 sufficient distance to start the flow of water. The sleeve or overflow pipe may be lifted by any preferred or usual flushing lever or other mechanism which can be connected by a link 26 engaging an eye 27 in a `collar 28 which embraces the pipe. The 1col- -lar 28 is preferably 'bent at one side and secured about the pipe by a connection 29 so that it may `befadjusted upon the pipe at a l:height to facilitate connection with the Vlink :26-or the operating mechanism, or it may be Yatafheight to limit the rising of the 'float valve 24, the adjustment with respect tothe operating mechanism being accomplished by bending the link 26 or substitution therefor of Vdifferent links. The valve preferably consists of merely a hollow rubber ring and,

if desired, a metal plate or sleeve 32 may be .positioned in the opening through it to 'cause it to slide freely and easily on the -sleeve 21. i There this sleeve is provided the valve is not accurately circular in cross-secn `tion but this is not believed to be important.

It `Will beV ymanifest from the foregoing that the pipe 16 forms a stationary guide. The sleeve 21 can be considered as a second guide or merely as the means for breaking the pressure holding the valve to its seat.

It will also be ymanifest Athatthe sleeve 21 and the valve vmay be lifted out of the tank by silding it od the end of the pipe or stem 16 and that this stem may subsequently be unscrewed thereby easilyremoving allV of 'the parts of the float valve'fmechanism from within ythe tank, leaving the interior free to be easily ycleaned orV repaired as occasion may require.V lClh'is isof some importance since tanks of this character are frequently not more Vthan f6. across inside and are relatively deep. If the interior is obstructed by internal mechanism vcleaning is difficult if not impossible.

Since the valve 'is pushed and then risesby its own buoyancy instead of being lifted lfrom above and .thereforeV carries no upwardly extending rods or guidfrom'its seatk -Y ing parts, it can Vbe of light construction,

and since also ythe overflow communication is through the valve' instead of through a part between the seat and bottom vof the tank substantially all of the water is drained out of the tank when the valveis operated.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that vvarious changes may be made in the form, construction `and flow pipe extending up centrally from said seat, a float valve vslidably 4embracing and guided by said Voverflow fpipe and adapted to 'close against said seat,l said overflow pipe being Vmovable to unseat isaid valve.

3. In a valve ymechanism ,for a closet tank or the like, a valve seat comprising spaced members forming an annularoiitlet between them, .a lguide extending up from the inner of said members, and afloat valve movable on said guide yand into engagement with said seat. Y

'4.In` a valve mechanism for a closet tank orthe like, avalve seat comprising Y spaced members `forming an annular .out-` let between them, :a guide rextendingiip from the inner-'of said members, anda float `valve movable'on -said guide and .into V.en-

gagement With said seat, one of said seats being movable to break the pressure oi water in said tank on said valve and permit the valve to rise on its guide under its own buoyancy to permit the tank to empty.

5. In a valve mechanism the combination of a valve seat providing an outlet opening, an overflow pipe extending centrally into said outlet opening, and a oat valve embracing said overflow pipe movable thereon, and guided thereby in its movement to and from said seat.V

6. In a valve mechanism for a closet tank and the like, a valve seat providing an outlet opening, a central guide extending up from the center of said opening, a sleeve slidable on said guide, a float valve embracing said sleeve movable thereon and guided thereby into and out of closing position, and means on said sleeve for lifting said val ve from its seat in its initial opening movement.

7. In a valve mechanism for a closet tank and the like, a valve seat, consisting of inner and outer members forming an annular passage therebetween, a stationary guide disposed through the inner of said members, an annular valve disposed about said guide and engaging said seats in closed position, and means slidable with respect to said stationary guide for lifting said inner seat to relieve the valve from pressure of water in the tank and permit it to ride to floating position by its own buoyancy.

8. In a valve mechanism for a closet tank and the like, the combination of a valve seat comprising outer and inner annular members, a central guide through the inner annular member, a sleeve slidably embracing said guide and carrying said inner member, and a float valve embracing said sleeve and liftable out of closing position through vertical movement of the ,inner member with the sleeve upon which it is mounted.

9. Ina valve mechanism for a closet tank or the like, a valve seat comprising inner and outer annular members,'and a float valve of annular form and of substantially circular cross-section adapted to close against said seats.

10. In a valve mechanism for a closet tank or the like, a valve seat comprising inner and outer annular members, and a iioat valve of annular form and of substantially circular cross-section adapted to close against said seats, said valve being ot soft, yielding material to permit it to accommodate itself to both said seats.

11. In a valve mechanism for a closet tank or the like, the combination of valve seats comprising inner and outer members providing an annular passageway between them, said seats being adjustable with respect to each other, and an annular float valve for engaging said seats.

12. In a valve mechanism for a closet tank or the like, the combination of a tank bottom and valve seat member extending only slightly above said tank bottom, an overflow pipe extending upwardly centrally of said seat, and a float valve slidably embracing said overiiow and adapted to close against said seat.

Signed in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FREDERICK J CLIFFORD.

IVitnesses:

ETHEL Woon, M. EDNA BARRY.

Gopiea of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

